On this page, provide research on Beethoven and the background of this composition (e.g. when it was composed, for whom, when it was first performed, musical elements to focus on, form of the first movement, etc.) Also feel free to comment on the the video performance of this piece or insert a contrasting performance and explain how it is different.
Mike Yang
- Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany on December 17, 1770
- Beethoven had performed his first public performance on March 26, 1778 at a young age of 7. The location was at Cologne, Germany.
- His third symphony was written for Bonaparte during the French Revolution.
Source: www.lvbeethoven.com
Sandy:
Written between October 1809 and June 1810
Premiered on June 15, 1810
For the play of the same name by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe in 1787
Cite: Glass, Herber. "Egmont Overture | LA Phil." Egmont Overture | LA Phil. Web. 8 Apr. 2015.
David
- An overture is an introduction to further content.
- Beethoven wrote the Egmont Overture for the revival of the play Egmont, but the overture, being the last part of the score to be completed, was not finished in time for the revival's first showing.
- Beethoven's score for Egmont was well received by the commissioner, Goethe, who said, “Beethoven has followed my intentions with admirable genius.”
Anderson, Don. Egmont Overture. Toronto Symphony Orchestra, n.d. Web. 8 Apr. 2015.
"Overture." Oxford Dictionaries World English. Oxford University Press, 2015. Web. 8 Apr. 2015.
Eric:
- The slow introduction in F minor sets a tragic atmosphere
- The exposition (allegro) illustrates the fight of the main character of the play with its energy and opposition between the harsh strings and soft woodwinds
- Although Goethe was amazed by the work of Beethoven, he did not like Beethoven's personality, and the two often showed dislike for each other
Jackson: - Ludwig Van Beethoven had two parent's, Johann Van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich. - Johann had shown a bit of musical talent at a young age, studying to become a chorister from the age of 16, however he was not as skilled as his esteemed father, Louis van Beethoven. - Maria was the daughter of the Archbishop of Triers head chef. Her first child with Johann, named Ludwig Maria, died several days after being born. By the end of the next year. another baby had been born, named Ludwig. He would go on to become Ludwig van Beethoven, the revered composer we know and respect today. "Beethoven." BEETHOVEN : Parents. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015. "Johann Van Beethoven." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.
Jason:
- The slow and intense introduction portrays the sufferance of Duchess under Spain’s oppression
- The following fast passage portrays the Duchess’ revolt with affirmative spirit against Spain
- Finally, the climax of the piece symbolize Duchess’ inevitable victory over the oppression
Work Cited
Indirect translated version of the explanation from the video
Emma Li
Beethoven went deaf around the age of 25. He would get his friends to write down what they were saying on a piece of paper to communicate.
Egmont Overture was written about a man named Count Egmont, a nobleman from the 16th century who headed the resistance and persecution of protestants. This was one of Beethoven's heroic works.
The ending fortissimo passage demonstrates how despite Count Egmont's death, everything he fought for and believed in still lives on.
Works Cited Suchet, John. "Beethoven's Music: John Suchet Explores the Egmont Overture." Classic FM. Classic FM, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
Allan Liu
Beethoven's op.84 is a set of 10 pieces of incidental music, with the Egmont Overture as the first piece. The more popular sections of this set include the lieder Die Trommel gerühret, Freudvoll und Leidvoll and the Mort de Klärchen.
The overture reflects the battle between the honest Count Egmont and the tyrannical Duke of Albe.
The Egmont Overture is a staple of orchestral repertoire. It was played at the Munich Massacre memorial service in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Works Cited
"Olympic Massacre: Memorial Service." ITN Source. ITN Source, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.
Prevot, Dominique. "The Overture to Egmont." Beethoven's Works. LvBeethoven.com, Feb. 2000. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.
This performance by the New York Philharmonic is very clean and effective. There are almost no mistakes and the piece runs smoothly from start to end. However I only say effective, because I was not convinced of the passion and excitement that Beethoven intended. I think the orchestra approaches this piece with a very methodical interpretation, failing to convince themselves of the turmoil between Egmont and the Duke of Albe.
Brian Liu
Beethoven was the most important character in the transitional period between Classical and Romantic eras.
His early prodigious talent in music may have been a result of his father’s vigor and brutality towards Beethoven when he taught him music.
This piece is a great example of programme music.
Allegro: the Count being prosecuted
measures 116-140: the pleading of his wife
measures 275-277: the death sentence is give
Works Cited
"Ludwig van Beethoven." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 11 Apr. 2015.
Suchet, John. "Beethoven's Music: John Suchet Explores the Egmont Overture." Classic FM, 2015. Web. 11 Apr. 2015.
Beethoven was often sick for the majority of his life.
Beethoven had attended primary school until the age of 10, but was unable to continue due to his family's financial incapability.
Johann (Beethoven's father) forces Beethoven (age 8) to perform his first concert in Koeln on March 1778
Works Cited
Malinsky, Gili. "19 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Beethoven." Mental Floss. 12 Aug. 2014. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
"Ludwig Van Beethoven Childhood | Beethoven in Bonn, Christian-Gottlob Neefe | Beethoven Childhood." Ludwig Van Beethoven Childhood | Beethoven in Bonn, Christian-Gottlob Neefe | Beethoven Childhood. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
Daniel Kim
The allegro is portrayed by a descending melodic line in the lower strings and an offbeat accent in the upper strings.
Beethoven ends with entirely new theme in F major, 4/4 Allegro con brio, rather than a traditional coda.
The allegro con brio begins with a pianissimo and becomes a triumphant fanfare ("Victory Symphony") within a bar.
Works Cites "Programme Notes: Beethoven Egmont Overture." Programme Notes: Beethoven Egmont Overture. Brandon Hill CO, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
Rossigonal, Rebecca. "Overture of Egmont Opus 84 - Ludwig Van Beethoven -." Overture of Egmont Opus 84 - Ludwig Van Beethoven -. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
Lucy
Count Egmont and Beethoven were both Flemish
Beethoven rarely wrote in F minor but he did in this piece
Beethoven was arguably the greatest piano virtuoso of his day, defeating some of Vienna’s finest pianists in “piano duels”
When Beethoven’s brother Karl van Beethoven died of tuberculosis in 1815, Beethoven engaged in a bitter custody battle with his wife Johanna over their son Karl because he deemed her “morally unfit” to care for the child
Beethoven’s “Egmont Op. 84” is similar in style to his 5th Symphony, and is one of the last works of his middle period (started to bridge gap between classicism and romanticism)
Works Cited:
"Overture of Egmont Opus 84 - Ludwig Van Beethoven." Beethoven's Works. CopyrightDepot.com, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
"Ludwig Van Beethoven Biography." Ludwig Van Beethoven's Biography. CopyrightDepot.com, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
Talia
Beethoven hated giving piano lessons unless the student was exceptionally talented.
Beethoven was said to have stopped performing whenever the audience was talking or not paying him their full attention; in one instance, when a nobleman spoke during a performance, Beethoven stopped and said, "For such pigs, I do not play!"
Beethoven’s last words were: “I shall hear in Heaven.”
Mike Yang
- Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany on December 17, 1770
- Beethoven had performed his first public performance on March 26, 1778 at a young age of 7. The location was at Cologne, Germany.
- His third symphony was written for Bonaparte during the French Revolution.
Source: www.lvbeethoven.com
Sandy:
Cite: Glass, Herber. "Egmont Overture | LA Phil." Egmont Overture | LA Phil. Web. 8 Apr. 2015.
Here is a narration of Geothe's play of Egmont: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kwiCJxm3jY
David
- An overture is an introduction to further content.
- Beethoven wrote the Egmont Overture for the revival of the play Egmont, but the overture, being the last part of the score to be completed, was not finished in time for the revival's first showing.
- Beethoven's score for Egmont was well received by the commissioner, Goethe, who said, “Beethoven has followed my intentions with admirable genius.”
A brief bit of history engrained within Beethoven's Egmont Overture from Classic FM: Beethoven's music: John Suchet explores the Egmont Overture
Anderson, Don. Egmont Overture. Toronto Symphony Orchestra, n.d. Web. 8 Apr. 2015.
"Overture." Oxford Dictionaries World English. Oxford University Press, 2015. Web. 8 Apr. 2015.
Eric:
- The slow introduction in F minor sets a tragic atmosphere
- The exposition (allegro) illustrates the fight of the main character of the play with its energy and opposition between the harsh strings and soft woodwinds
- Although Goethe was amazed by the work of Beethoven, he did not like Beethoven's personality, and the two often showed dislike for each other
Jackson:
- Ludwig Van Beethoven had two parent's, Johann Van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich.
- Johann had shown a bit of musical talent at a young age, studying to become a chorister from the age of 16, however he was not as skilled as his esteemed father, Louis van Beethoven.
- Maria was the daughter of the Archbishop of Triers head chef. Her first child with Johann, named Ludwig Maria, died several days after being born. By the end of the next year. another baby had been born, named Ludwig. He would go on to become Ludwig van Beethoven, the revered composer we know and respect today.
"Beethoven." BEETHOVEN : Parents. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.
"Johann Van Beethoven." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.
Jason:
- The slow and intense introduction portrays the sufferance of Duchess under Spain’s oppression
- The following fast passage portrays the Duchess’ revolt with affirmative spirit against Spain
- Finally, the climax of the piece symbolize Duchess’ inevitable victory over the oppression
Performance by one of the best orchestra in the world, Berlin Philharmonic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cn-oYCzrlM
Work Cited
Indirect translated version of the explanation from the video
Emma Li
A brilliant performance of the overture conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler in 1953 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONDQHSy7aEs
Works Cited
Suchet, John. "Beethoven's Music: John Suchet Explores the Egmont Overture." Classic FM. Classic FM, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
Allan Liu
Works Cited
"Olympic Massacre: Memorial Service." ITN Source. ITN Source, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.
Prevot, Dominique. "The Overture to Egmont." Beethoven's Works. LvBeethoven.com, Feb. 2000. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.
This performance by the New York Philharmonic is very clean and effective. There are almost no mistakes and the piece runs smoothly from start to end. However I only say effective, because I was not convinced of the passion and excitement that Beethoven intended. I think the orchestra approaches this piece with a very methodical interpretation, failing to convince themselves of the turmoil between Egmont and the Duke of Albe.
Brian Liu
Works Cited
"Ludwig van Beethoven." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 11 Apr. 2015.
Suchet, John. "Beethoven's Music: John Suchet Explores the Egmont Overture." Classic FM, 2015. Web. 11 Apr. 2015.
Here is a link to Beethoven's entire Egmont, Op.84, including the less well-known incidental music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdE3bGV0qYI
Andrew Santos:
Works Cited
Malinsky, Gili. "19 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Beethoven." Mental Floss. 12 Aug. 2014. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
"Ludwig Van Beethoven Childhood | Beethoven in Bonn, Christian-Gottlob Neefe | Beethoven Childhood." Ludwig Van Beethoven Childhood | Beethoven in Bonn, Christian-Gottlob Neefe | Beethoven Childhood. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
Daniel Kim
Works Cites
"Programme Notes: Beethoven Egmont Overture." Programme Notes: Beethoven Egmont Overture. Brandon Hill CO, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
Rossigonal, Rebecca. "Overture of Egmont Opus 84 - Ludwig Van Beethoven -." Overture of Egmont Opus 84 - Ludwig Van Beethoven -. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
Lucy
- Count Egmont and Beethoven were both Flemish
- Beethoven rarely wrote in F minor but he did in this piece
- The overture is mainly in sonata allegro form
The link is to an article the briefly shares the interesting story of the meeting between Goethe and Beethoven http://www.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/guides/johann-von-goetheHuscher, Phillip. "Program Notes." Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
"Programme Notes: Beethoven Egmont Overture." Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra. Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
"Second Concert of the 30th Season." Manchester Symphony Orchestra. Manchester Symphony Orchestra, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.
Rose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoCp3QTYimA
Glass, Herbert. "Egmont Overture." Egmont Overture. LA Phil, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
Maynard Solomon, Beethoven (New York: Schirmer Books, 1998)
"Programme Notes: Beethoven Egmont Overture." Programme Notes: Beethoven Egmont Overture. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
Kelly
Egmont performance by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QY8G4OJG6c
Works Cited
"Beethoven: 20 facts about the great composer." Classic FM. Global Limited, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
"Beethoven's Works." LvBeethoven. n.p. n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
Bethany
An arrangement: For 2 Pianos 8 Hands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoprmYkMwto&spfreload=10
Brownlow, Mark. "Beethoven's Grave." Visiting Vienna. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015.
"Museum." Beethoven-Haus Bonn Museum. Beethoven-Haus Museum, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2015.
Malcolm
Works Cited:
"Overture of Egmont Opus 84 - Ludwig Van Beethoven." Beethoven's Works. CopyrightDepot.com, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
"Ludwig Van Beethoven Biography." Ludwig Van Beethoven's Biography. CopyrightDepot.com, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
Talia
The following is a link to a review of a particular performance of Egmont Overture: http://bachtrack.com/review-salle-pleyel-wdr-sinfonieorchester-koln-saraste
Works Cited
"Great Composers - Ludwig Van Beethoven." Arts Alive. National Arts Centre, 2015. Web. 5 May 2015.